Broad, powerful muscles move beneath this massive bear's brown fur, promising both speed and lethal force.
Grizzly Bear CR 4
XP 1,200
N Large animal
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent ; Perception +6
Defense
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +2
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +7 (1d6+5 plus grab), bite +7 (1d6+5)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Statistics
Str 21, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +9 (+13 grapple); CMD 20 (24 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Run, Skill Focus (Survival)
Skills Perception +6, Survival +5, Swim +14; Racial Modifiers +4 Swim
Ecology
Environment cold forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
A large, powerful omnivore, the grizzly bear inhabits many of the world's forested hills. Equally happy consuming nuts, berries, fish, or small mammals, the grizzly is nonetheless fiercely territorial, and will chase off—or, failing that, kill and eat—any intruders it views as competition.
When faced with a foe or small group of threats, the grizzly attempts to subdue or kill with its claws. When it can, the bear tries to grab a single target to deal continual damage until that target is dead, unconscious, or escapes.
To generate stats for a smaller bear (like a black bear), you can apply the young simple template to the grizzly bear's stat block. To generate stats for a larger grizzly or a polar bear, apply the advanced simple template to the grizzly's stats.
Spittle drips from this feral bear's roaring maw, and its matted fur is broken in places by wicked, bony growths.
Dire Bear (Cave Bear) CR 7
XP 3,200
N Large animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +12
Defense
AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+1 Dex, +8 natural, –1 size)
hp 95 (10d8+50)
Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +4
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +13 (1d6+7 plus grab), bite +13 (1d8+7)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Statistics
Str 25, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +7; CMB +15 (+19 grapple); CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +12, Swim +19; Racial Modifiers +4 Swim
Ecology
Environment cold forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure incidental
Larger, more aggressive, and far more deadly than its lesser cousins, the dire bear (known to barbarian tribes variously as the cave bear or the short-faced bear) is a primeval menace indeed. This behemoth avoids more civilized reaches of the world, preferring to dwell in remote wilderness locations. A dire bear is a rare and terrifying sight—especially to those not used to normal bears.
Unlike most bears, a dire bear is short-tempered and swift to anger when confronted with intruders in its territory. Like a grizzly, a dire bear attempts to subdue or kill with its claws. However, a dire bear is far more likely (and willing) to begin biting a grabbed foe.